2018 Rd 7: Pre Game Paranoia: Carlton vs Adelaide

[Thryleon]

We need to put the best possible team on the park.

Agree but unless Kreuzer is ready to go playing him at the moment could be possibly the worst decision for both him and our team possible.

Given the results are a bit irrelevant for us (unless you believe Bolton needs to win games to keep the faith in him) its not a significant difference in performance and it might be better for Kreuzer to rehab and recover.  From where I sit, we have the chance to win three in a row later from about round 15 onwards, and the Bombers game is the only game before the bye we need to be getting everyone cherry ripe for.  That means pushing out our best side capable of winning, provided no one is playing under significant duress.

Special K certainly is not the best ruck in the competition, but when he is fit and in form he can be one of the most effective. And mbb is right; he doesn't get the kudos he deserves. Even from many Carlton supporters. But his form last year had very few peers. He was beaten maybe three times for the year. He at least broke even against some of best credentialed rucks and he simply thrashed most of them.
He doesn't just compete in the ruck, but he makes clearances. Few rucks do that.

One of the positive things about Phillips so far is that he has been able to at least break even, usually doing better. This has not been the case earlier in his career. Unfortunately he runs out of gas in the second half. Not surprising given his history of injury, but a disappointment all the same.

In the past Kreuzer has been struggling with fitness and has let the ruck become a battle of strength with Jacobs. That has been a mistake which has allowed Sauce to play well against Kreuzer. Get Jacobs to run after Kreuzer and the matter takes on a whole new light.

Thats assuming Kreuzer can actually run around for 4 quarters. In his 3 games thus far this season, he has played 66%, 71% and 80% of game time, whilst Phillips has gone at 86% and 83% of game time.

It all points to Kreuzer not being fit, and that means you don't play him unless he has proven he is not only right to play, but is also fit enough to run an opposition ruckman around the ground.